Invitrogen Announces Acquisition of CellzDirect

CellzDirect a Market Leader in Hepatocyte-Based Primary Cell Products and Services

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Invitrogen Corporation (NASDAQ:IVGN), a provider of essential life science technologies for research, production and diagnostics, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase privately-held CellzDirect, Inc., based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, in a cash transaction for approximately $57 million.

“The purchase of CellzDirect follows our strategy of investing in high growth areas of the market, specifically specialty cell systems.”

CellzDirect provides hepatocyte-based cell products and related services used in the testing of new drugs. Primary human hepatocytes are the most accepted model for predicting a compound’s effects on enzymatic metabolism in the liver. Such testing, recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), can prevent costly failures in clinical trials. For this reason, CellzDirect’s products are mainly used by pharmaceutical and biotech companies in research and development. Primary hepatocytes are also used in biomedical research to study liver diseases and to understand downstream implications of cellular function.

“CellzDirect’s high-value products and services will greatly complement Invitrogen’s market-leading portfolio of complete cell systems, including primary cells, media, matrices and growth factors,” said Greg Lucier, Invitrogen’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “The purchase of CellzDirect follows our strategy of investing in high growth areas of the market, specifically specialty cell systems.”

“CellzDirect has distinguished itself from other primary cell providers through scientific leadership, consultation with scientific and industry leaders, and constant communication with the medical community and regulatory bodies,” added Nicolas Barthelemy, Invitrogen’s Senior Vice President, Cell Systems.

CellzDirect was founded in 2001 and employs approximately 90 people at its sites in North Carolina and Austin, Texas. Twelve month revenue for calendar year 2007 is expected to be approximately $18 million.

“Combining with Invitrogen will enhance our already strong position in the primary cell market,” said Scott Edelman, CellzDirect’s Chief Executive Officer. “We expect CellzDirect’s growth rates to benefit from cross-promotion and combination with Invitrogen’s technologies for cell culture, molecular biology, and fluorescent detection, and from Invitrogen’s world-class sales, marketing, and distribution capabilities.”

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the first quarter. The acquisition is expected to be EPS neutral in fiscal year 2008, becoming accretive in fiscal year 2009.

About Invitrogen Corporation

Invitrogen Corporation (NASDAQ: IVGN) provides products and services that support academic and government research institutions and pharmaceutical and biotech companies worldwide in their efforts to improve the human condition. The company provides essential life science technologies for disease research, drug discovery, and commercial bioproduction. Invitrogen's own research and development efforts are focused on breakthrough innovation in all major areas of biological discovery including functional genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics and cell biology -- placing Invitrogen's products in nearly every major laboratory in the world. Founded in 1987, Invitrogen is headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and conducts business in more than 70 countries around the world. The company employs approximately 4,700 scientists and other professionals and had revenues of more than $1.15 billion in 2006. For more information, visit www.invitrogen.com.

About CellzDirect, Inc.

CellzDirect, Inc. is a privately held bioscience company that was founded in 2001 and employees approximately 90 people at its sites in North Carolina and Austin, Texas. CellzDirect provides bio/pharmaceutical companies with quality cell products and services focused primarily on drug metabolism, drug-drug interactions and drug transporters. With CellzDirect’s support, scientists are better able to conduct research that accelerates the discovery and development of safe and effective drugs. For additional information, please refer to the company's web site at www.cellzdirect.com or call 1-866-95CELLZ.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements contained in this press release are considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and it is Invitrogen’s intent that such statements be protected by the safe harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: 1) CellzDirect’s high-value products and services will greatly complement Invitrogen’s market-leading portfolio of complete cell systems, including primary cells, media, matrices and growth factors, and 2) Combining with Invitrogen will enhance CellzDirect’s already strong position in the primary cell market. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the risks: a) CellzDirect’s growth rates may not benefit from cross promotion and combination with Invitrogen’s technologies and b) CellzDirect’s acquisition may not lead to growth for Invitrogen or CellzDirect in the primary cell market as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Invitrogen's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.